APR 28, 2023 5 MIN READ FEMALE ENTREPRENEUR

Special Feature – Women in Business- Rachael Rothwell

This week I caught up with Rachael Rothwell, an Equine Physical Performance & Rehab Therapist based in County Wexford. Rachael has a great deal of experience with horses growing up and working alongside her family at Annaharvey Farm Equestrian Centre. Rachael has started a new venture in her life catering for all types of horses from performance ponies to racing thoroughbreds to eventers and dressage horses. Rachael can be found on Instagram @rachael.rothwell.wex

Who are you and what do you do?

I am  Rachael Rothwell. I am an Equine Physical Performance & Rehab Therapist. What I do is manual manipulation of the soft tissue specifically for performance & rehabilitation purposes.

What inspired you to start your business?

Horses were always part of my childhood. Summers spent show jumping, pony club & hacking around on the farm. My winters were spent hunting, hunter trials and show jumping and a lot of mucking out! It was a natural progression to train as a BHSAI after school and work for my parents Henry & Lynda Deverell in the family business at Annaharvey Farm. After moving to Bunclody & having a family, I was looking to get back to what I loved and Equine Physical Therapy was a good fit for me.

What were some of the biggest challenges you faced while starting your business?

I am poor at social media so promoting myself in this area is not a natural place for me. However, it is necessary so am learning to adapt.

What makes your business unique compared to others in the industry?

My experience with horses. I’ve worked with a huge amount of horses & with my specific interest previously being in dressage, it means I know what a horse should feel like and look like. I have a sharp eye for detail and I treat every horse as an equal. I respect the horse as an individual and the therapy works when the horse and I work together to achieve our collective goal. Good client communication and post therapy exercises allow the therapy to continue after I leave.  

How do you balance risk and reward when considering new business opportunities?

For me it’s all about reward. I believe in what I do. I love what I do. I am always open to learning and developing my craft. People will either get what I do or they won’t, either way the results speak for themselves.

How do you stay up-to-date with the latest trends and changes in the industry?

I have a strong basics led approach to things. Trends can distract a little to what is relevant to a specific horse or problem. Trends may focus on one thing and not a whole horse approach.

Research is a very important part of what I do and I believe objective education is vital. Getting it from reputable proven sources is too.

How do you maintain a work-life balance while running a business? Or what are your thoughts?

Work life balance is vital to a successful career in any industry. Family is everything to me and they come first. When work starts to consume your every thought, it is time to stop, take a breath or even just a walk. I write my problems down in a journal and leave them there while I take time with family or doing something I enjoy. I come back fresher and more capable.

What are your future plans and goals for your business?

My aim is to enjoy myself. I am passionate about what I do and hope to build my business around people who are similarly passionate about their horses. I have a horse first approach and I’m keen to give them every chance to be the best elite athlete or happy hacker they can be.

How do you approach and handle competition in your market?

I am in an area where there are new people emerging all the time. I feel that my reputation, honesty & ability will stand to building good relationships with dedicated clients. I provide a steady, reliable work ethic that will sustain my business. I believe in quality over quantity and just take time with each horse.

How do you measure the success of your business?

Providing a quality service for my customers and my tailored approach to each horse delivering results. For me, it is about the horses. Giving them the chance to perform to the best of their ability or get better quicker.  

What are some of the biggest challenges you see facing your sector in the future?

I think that there is a misunderstanding with some people. Physical therapy not is just about making the horse feel good after a nice rub.

It is about creating quality muscle function to create the environment to allow the horse work to his/her optimum.

Often, the horse is not quite right but not quite wrong. Not lame but not sound or has behavioural problems. The nature of the horse drives it to try not to look lame. Recognising muscle dysfunction or that there is a problem, is something that people in general are not aware of. Fixing it before it comes to the point where the horse goes to a full breakdown is an important consideration. Early intervention means calling your physical therapist and dealing with it early. If there is a possibility of an underlying condition, we refer to a Vet or farrier as part of a team approach. I think getting that message across and for people to realise it actually works.

How do you handle challenges and setbacks in your business?

Learn & build. Laugh and smile.

Top 3 lessons you’ve learned as a business founder?

Have a clear vision

Stick to what you know

Have faith in the process

What advice would you give to someone who is just starting out as a business founder?

Know who and what you are.

Don’t get distracted by people or things that are not relevant to your business

If you have 10 jobs to do today , do the worst one first and enjoy the rest of the day.